James C. “Jim” Maxwell, who led innovation in foundation construction while growing a family-owned contracting business into a sector leader in New England, died July 25 after battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, for about five years. He was 76.
Maxwell was chair of Chelmsford, Mass.-based Hub Foundation Co. Inc. His father founded the pile driving contractor in 1966, and he took over in 1981. During his time leading the company, it grew it from 10 full-time employees to 120 today.
A key part of that growth was Hub’s early adoption of drilling. After visiting Italy to learn about drill rigs and see them in action, Maxwell ordered a Soilmec R-10, which was the first European drill rig sold in the U.S.
“It was something completely new,” says Tony Barila, who met Maxwell while working for another foundation contractor but later joined Hub Foundation. “He got it right.”
The firm continued to expand its capabilities under Maxwell, adding micropiles, tiebacks and slurry walls to its offerings, and tested its high-capacity micropile design to reach more than 1,600 tons, a capacity usually reserved for drilled shafts.
Hub Foundation has completed more than 1,500 contracts, contributing to high-profile projects including the Boston Logan International Airport Light Pier and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line Extension.
Colleagues and competitors of Maxwell remember his positive attitude and kindness. Barila says Maxwell would donate company resources for research projects. He recalls a time when another contractor that had out-bid Hub Foundation for a project was struggling with the work. Maxwell offered to let that firm use anything it needed from Hub Foundation’s equipment yard.
“I couldn’t believe how generous he was, even to our staunchest competitors,” Barila says.
One of those competitors was consultant John Roma, who says Maxwell helped him several times with machinery, and sometimes with added staff.
“We were competitive ‘enemies’ for so long that we circled around to become good friends,” Roma says.
Maxwell’s depth in the industry brought him to volunteer with the Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors, teaching at its Anchored Earth Retention School and serving as a trustee of its industry advancement fund, which awards scholarships to engineering students interested in the deep foundations sector. He was also active in the Foundation and Marine Contractors Association of New England.
For his contributions to the industry, Maxwell was picked by the drilled shaft contractors group to win its Northeast chapter Living Legend award, and earlier this year The Moles cited him for outstanding achievement in construction.
“He had more wisdom and knowledge than many people in the business, and I always respected him for that,” Roma says.
Hub Foundation is now being led by Maxwell’s children, the third generation to run the company. Daughter Alizza Weiss is company president, with sons Jeff Maxwell and Greg Maxwell now serving as treasurer and vice president, respectively.
“One thing I remember him saying was that he said to his kids, ‘Family business can be your biggest strength or your biggest weakness,” Roma says.
In a speech at The Moles annual awards dinner in February, Jeff Maxwell, delivering remarks on his father's behalf, said:
“You overcome that liability with communication and trust,” Maxwell said in reading Jim Maxwell's words. "Understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses and giving each other room to grow.”
While ALS paralyzed Maxwell’s muscles, he added that it did not slow his mind.
“I find joy in life by remembering my past adventures in this industry,” he wrote.
